Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Offline
I recall when growing up, the Winchester 1885 just wasn’t as popular as its lever action cousins (1873, 1876, 1886, 1892, & 1894). But, I have always liked them and have a few.
Nonetheless, amazingly, I am aware of a few with condition that are for sale for fairly reasonable prices, one of which has a fair number of special order features. I have thought about buying it (or them) myself, but funds lately have been used for other significant purchases. For what they are, these are original firearms with significant case colouring, pre-1898, not refinished or monkeyed with. The price tags on these are comparable to their lever action cousins with no finish.
So, what are the trends? I mean, these were always less popular, but I don’t recall that the price of these with condition being on par with an 1876 or 1886 that is a grey gun, may have some refinished or replaced parts, etc.
Have they just become that unpopular?
(I should add that, for clarity’s sake, at a local gun show today, nothing seemed to really be moving, so it is not like the grey cousins are trading hands, and the 1885’s are not, but in a relative sense, if you purchase an 1885 these days, it seems like you can get a “big bang for the buck”. 
)
For an un-professional opinion it is a model I had overlooked and under appreciated in relation to lever models , and now exposed to them are very impressed with the simple ingenious design and function , accuracy , infinite large range of fabulous calibers , and dont know how you can go wrong with them (ask Bert and other fans)
Bang for the buck may be an understatement
Phil
Ya, I was at the Gun Show today. Saw a nice, 1885 Winchester in 45-90 Caliber.
I think it was less expensive than a nice, Winchester 1886 Standard Rifle in the same Caliber.
"I Would Have Rather Lived Through The Industrial Revaluation"
"Instead of The Space Age"
From
The Twilight Zone
Bert,
Thanks for the info. If and when I do the Tulsa show, I will let you know.
Walter
PS: It is a letdown that there not any Winchester shows in the Southeast. It would be interesting to know where the WACA members live.
l
I have not ever travelled to the Tulsa show, as it is more than a 2,000-mile trip one-way for me. I suspect due to the size of the Tulsa show that it would not be difficult to find at least a few dozen Model 1885 single shot rifles.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
FWIW: I’ve only seen 2 1885’s at Albuquerque gun shows in the last 3 years, though I don’t necessarily go to all of them. There have only been 2 gun shops in the metro area that sell antiques and one of them was sold last year and the new owner is not interested in antiques. I’ve started doing my antique shopping/drooling on line.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Bert,
Thanks for the info. That is a lot of 1885’s. Would the same hold true at Tulsa? I have been told by older Winchester collectors than me, that I have to go west of the Mississippi to sell my old lever guns for top money. Hell, Tulsa is a 1200 mile trip one way. I am still not sold on major auctions as Apache has stated.
Walter
wallyb said
Bert,
Is the 1885 popular west of the Mississippi, as I rarely see one at shows in NC?
Walter
Walter,
I would say Yes, it is. At a typical Reno show, there will be at least several dozen Model 1885s on various tables. The same holds true at the Cody show, and the Denver show.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert,
Is the 1885 popular west of the Mississippi, as I rarely see one at shows in NC?
Walter
To some degree the desirability of the Model 1885 Single Shot is regional, but there definitely is a collector following and market for them. That stated, they have never sold for the same money as a Model 1886 in the same caliber & condition, but comparing the two is like the “apples vs. oranges” argument. One is a repeater, and the other is a single shot, and in the minds of many (the spray & pray crowd), the repeater is the best choice. For those of us that were taught to shoot & hunt efficiently, the single shot is by far the preferred rifle. Even when I am out varmint hunting, I single load my bolt-action rifles!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
1 Guest(s)
